<p>I am accepted at both colleges with almost identical financial aid packages. The only difference is that Smith gives me a $3,000 international student loan, while my loan at MH is $1,500 because I am offered a leadership award of $10,000 and this partially offsets the loan. The truth is, I really like both colleges, and this further complicates the choice I have to make. Since I am an international student, I cannot visit neither MH, nor Smith campus. Therefore, I would be thankful if you give me some responses as to which college to choose. I expect to be academically challenged during my college years, but I don't want a cutthroat atmosphere and constant stress in my life. As for the major, I am positive that I am majoring in International Relations and doing a minor in Economics. I know that MH is famous for the IR and Economics departments, but at Smith I cannot do a major in IR, which is offered only as a minor. </p>
<p>I know that the decision I have to make is going to shape my future, so I would be glad if any current students, parents, or anyone interested in the matter, reply. Are there any girls who were in the same position I am in right now?</p>
<p>Well, the main differences between the campuses are that Smith has northampton around which equals more of a social scene, while mhc is supposed to be a quieter, low key campus. They are both gorgeous campuses and great places to learn but the main diff is the social life. Smith has more around it while mhc is more secluded. good luck</p>
<p>My d. got into both, and into Williams and a bunch of other places, and chose Smith as the more "happening" place. Mount Holyoke is gorgeous, bucolic, has wonderful faculty, a huge number of international students (percentagewise, the most of any top liberal arts college in the nation), a fantastic Dean of Religious Life (a personal friend). Smith is a little larger, a little more diverse (outside of the int'l students - there are plenty, just not as high a percentage as Mt. Holyoke), next door to a really happening town (to which you can walk), and, to my d., just feels more intellectually alive.</p>
<p>I wouldn't "overthink" - YOU will shape your future, and the schools are not that different (in what you are thinking of studying.) You might reasonably decide on the basis of "town" vs. "country".</p>
<p>Sara and Mini, thank you for your responses. I agree with you that mostly I would have to shape my future, not the college I am going to attend. I have never visited neither campus, but I did substantial research on both colleges and noticed that many people consider Mt. Holyoke somehow isolated. Seclusion definitely doesn't appeal to me. Also, I have the impression that Smith is the more academically challening institution and I definitely want to be challenged during my college years. Therefore, I am more inclined to choose Smith :)
Thanks again for the competent responses. </p>
<p>I am an introvert and am inclined to say that social life isn't really that important for me...on the other hand I don't want to be completely cut off from the outside world!</p>
<p>When you say that Mt. Holyoke is isolated, just how isolated do you mean?</p>
<p>I'm not really sure what people mean when they describe MHC as isolated, but I just got the impression that the word seclusion seems to appear in most of the posts I have read about MHC. Sucharita, I share your attitude towards social life - I am looking for the balance between concentration on academics and some hanging out. Noho is said to be the more happening place and I consider it a better match for me compared to the more bucolic South Hadley (someone in the archives who had visited both towns called Mt. Holyoke's home town rather country-style). Anyway, I am almost sure that if I am going to attend a college abroad, that would be Smith.</p>
<p>I would consider MHC as less intense and competitive than Smith--better for someone who appreciates an atmosphere of serenity and pastoral beauty but with challenging academics. Smith would suit the more interactive type who wants more off campus choices right nearby--but college bus serivce connects all 5 schools in the area, so you are not "in exile" at MHC. I have often heard MHC called "friendlier". The differences are mainly social and atmospheric-- both offer excellent academic opportunities.</p>
<p>Vesselina~
I visited both Smith and Mount Holyoke and found the atmosphere quite different. Though both schools have an excellent academic reputation, I found the students to be more intellectual at Smith (granted that the random samples of students who I spoke to at the respective schools were relatively small). I found the students at both schools to be extremely friendly and personable. I visited Smith in October, right before the ED I deadline ( my school requires students to submit their paperwork to the registrar 30 days before the actual college deadline) since I had a tough time choosing between Bryn Mawr and Smith. My visit was not arranged through the admissions office but through a family friend. At the last minute there was some sort of mishaps and my hostess had to go out of town. When I arrived at Smith a random student who was not connected to the admissions office volunteered to let me sleep in her room and show me around campus.</p>
<p>It is true that MHC's loan is smaller than the loan Smith gives, but I believe that if after graduation you manage to find a well-paid job, repaying the loan would not be much of an issue. But I don't exactly know your financial situation, so it's up to you to decide which option better suits you. As for me, I don't consider the difference in loan money so big a factor in my choice of college. </p>
<p>I have been doing some serious research on Smith and MHC recently, and I concluded to choose Smith after all. I hope I have made the right decision:)</p>
<p>Thanks again for all the suggestions and opinions you gave me, I really appreciate it!</p>
<p>"I am positive that I am majoring in International Relations and doing a minor in Economics. I know that MH is famous for the IR and Economics departments, but at Smith I cannot do a major in IR"</p>
<p>If you can't major in IR at Smith, why are you choosing it over Mount Holyoke?</p>
<p>I would like more views on the loan thing. I don't think I'll start working immediately after I graduate because I'm hell-bent on going to graduate school. How would the loan situation be affected by such a move?</p>
<p>Depends on the loan. Many loans start pay back 6 months after you are out of school - graduate school included. But you have to check the terms of each one to know (and to also know when interest begins accruing.)</p>
<p>Sara306's post #2 in this thread captures it pretty well. My D originally wanted to go to college in a city and one of the two major questions she had about Smith was whether or not NoHo was big enough for her...it was and is. In contrast, she saw enough of South Hadley while driving to MHC that it took a virtual crowbar to get her out of the car. </p>
<p>"bucolic" does strike me as a fair word to describe MHC...and that's exactly what turns some students on. Different strokes.</p>
<p>What about Smith's competitiveness? I've heard it's silghtly more competitive than MHC (not that I want to underestimate the value of a MHC education).</p>
<p>If you are still undecided, you should post this question on the Mount Holyoke board as well. Also read the "What so great about Mount Holyoke?" thread on that board.
Have you discussed your options with your family and guidance as well? It is very important , in my opinion, that you do. </p>